Fort Wayne best place to live in state; 40th nationwide

The report noted that “with its low cost of living and quiet neighborhoods, Fort Wayne, Indiana, is an excellent place to buy a house, start a career, launch a business and raise children. As a midsize metropolitan area in the heart of the Midwest, residents in Fort Wayne have access to the amenities one would expect to find in a large metropolis, like excellent entertainment options and a thriving arts scene. Residents also encounter many of the quirks that come with living in a small town, such as the yearly BuskerFest devoted to street performers, and the annual bed race that takes place during the Three Rivers Festival.”

The report also noted that “Fort Wayne has fared better than many of its Rust Belt region counterparts after losing many manufacturing jobs in the 1980s. Advanced manufacturing continues to play a large role in the region. Major investments in the economy have been made by manufacturers like General Motors and BAE Systems. Fort Wayne is undergoing a long-term revitalization with new living options and economic development projects centered downtown and the riverfront area. Older neighborhoods are also just beginning to see a return of younger residents wanting to live closer to downtown rather than in the suburbs, and small shops, trendy restaurants and breweries are beginning to follow them.”

Fort Wayne received an overall score of 6.7 out of 10, including 5.6 for desirability, 8.7 for value, 6.5 for job market, 6.1 for quality of life and 5.6 for net migration.